A sturdy survivor

Nearly 300 years ago an earthquake brought the Moorish village of Alvor down to the ground. On a more positive note, it has been beautifully restored and has been earthquake-free ever since! The fishing village has been determined to keep its traditional charm throughout its tourism development and the cobbled streets and wonky houses give it a fantastic Portuguese atmosphere. The village has a real sense of community and it’s really interesting to see how it has been rebuilt over time. The most recent development, the riverfront, is idyllic, scattered with palm trees and golden sand – you’d struggle to believe it was in fact an estuary rather than a beach. Heading inland, the town is a maze of narrow streets leading uphill to an intricate network of cafes, markets and shops. The village has a real sense of community and it’s really interesting to see how it has been rebuilt over time.

Treat your palette

Most places in the Algarve like to keep their food local and Alvor is no exception. Located right on the harbour, Alvor enjoys fresh fish arriving in the bucketful each morning. The restaurants along the riverfront all open up onto the sand and the smell of them barbecuing fresh fish is enough to make anyone hungry. If you head a little further into town you’ll discover a range of restaurants all trying their hand at international cuisine. This is great news for fussy eaters as they’ll find plenty of venues catering for any home comfort cravings. If you only try one Algarve cuisine, however, make sure it’s caldelrada, a fish stew, washed down with some of Portugal’s finest wines.

Explore Alvor

The tiny fishing village has a surprisingly large amount of things to offer for holidays in Alvor. Sun seekers can head to the sand while foodies take to the streets in search of the local delicacies. If you want to travel a little further afield, nearby Portimao is a much bigger fishing port that has a brilliant range of shops. Leather goods are the speciality here! Whether you’re planning to relax by the sea or go exploring, a holiday to Alvor is affordable with lastminute.com. We have hundreds of Algarve holiday deals to choose from, all you need to do is find the best one for you. Grab a bargain and think of the money you save as an extra few bottles of that lovely Portuguese wine! Book all your holidays to Portugal with lastminute.com